If you’re going to be doing any elevated work at a job site, you’ll need the proper equipment to keep employees safe at elevation. The question you may have, then, is when does it make more sense to use lifts versus scaffolding in Monroe, LA?
Scissor lifts are designed to help all workers easily and safely move around when performing elevated work. They move vertically with a lifting mechanism that will then elevate or lower the platform as needed. All employees using scissor lifts need to be trained in their usage beforehand, but for the most part they are relatively simple to use and quite safe when used properly.
Here are just a few examples of some of the reasons why people choose to go with scissor lifts over scaffolding:
- Greater versatility: Scissor lifts can be used in almost all the same ways as scaffolding, but are also able to reach areas where scaffolding may not be possible. Scissor lifts often have features like all-terrain wheels and self-leveling that make them operable at a wide range of job sites, and they’re able to get into places scaffolding cannot be installed.
- Time saving: Scissor lifts do not require nearly as much space as scaffolding, which means it’s easier and faster to set them up and take them down. The process of installing scaffolding can add a significant amount of time to a construction job, so by having lifts that can be lowered and moved to another location in mere minutes, you drastically cut down on labor time and improve your productivity.
- Lower operating costs: Because scissor lifts save on labor time, that cuts down on operating costs. In addition, you can easily lower and move scissor lifts into storage spaces with much less time and labor, and do not need as much space to store them, which also reduces your operating costs.
- Protection against workplace injuries: Scaffolding and ladders are riskier than scissor lifts because their bases are not as stable. Scissor lifts contain outriggers, which offer increased stability for all workers operating at height. Scaffolding and ladders also do not provide the same sort of grip/slip protection for employees when the weather gets wet when you compare them to scissor lifts.
- No emissions: If you use scissor lifts with electric engines, you don’t have to worry about creating any extra carbon emissions during the construction process, which makes it an environmentally friendly piece of equipment.
- Avoid scaffolding dangers: Scaffolding poses a greater risk of falls and collapse, and requires more inspections. In addition, incorrect planking can make it dangerous. There aren’t nearly as many things that can “go wrong” with scissor lifts as with scaffolding.
These are just a few of the primary reasons why builders and contractors may opt to go with scissor lifts in Monroe, LA over scaffolding when it is feasible to do so. For more information about the benefits of scissor lifts, or to arrange for tool and equipment rental for an upcoming project, contact Ram Rent-All, Inc. today.